A man who attacked a bus driver and caused serious damage to the bus after being told he had to buy a ticket has been sentenced to 300 hours' unpaid work in the community.

Americo Dungui spat and swore at the driver after he was challenged over an Oyster card which did not have enough credit, before disabling the bus by hitting the emergency stop button.

Dungui, of Collingham Place, Earl's Court, then stepped off the bus and picked up a street bin which he hurled at the driver's screen.

The 29-year-old was convicted of a public order offence and causing criminal damage at Croydon Magistrates' Court on April 12, following the incident in Croydon in June last year.

He was sentenced to 150 hours' unpaid work for the public order offence and another 150 hours' work for criminal damage, and was handed a one-year community order and told to pay £299.25 in compensation.

The prosecution came after the attack was investigated by the workplace violence unit run by the Met Police and Transport for London, which looks into all incidents of violence involving London bus staff.

Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, of the Met's safer transport command, said: "This was a completely senseless attack, causing distress and considerable damage. Thanks to the use of CCTV and a thorough investigation, the joint unit was able to identify and arrest Dungui, leading to his conviction."

Siwan Hayward, deputy director for community safety at TfL, said: "The bus driver was simply doing his job and was subjected to an intimidating and threatening assault.

"I hope this sentencing sends out the strong message that we will not tolerate any sort of abuse or assault against members of our staff and that Dungui uses his 300 hours of unpaid work to consider his actions."